Glemont area barn destroyed by arson; reward offered for information about firestarter

Reward offered for information about firestarter

RICHLAND TWP. -- Investigators are trying to put together the pieces of a Monday afternoon arson that claimed an abandoned barn.

A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for anyone providing information leading to the identification of the responsible party.

Members of the Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department were called to 3354 Township Road 31 at 3:21 p.m. Mutual aid was provided by the Nashville, Lakeville and Killbuck departments, members of which were on the scene at 3:31 p.m., at which time the fire was fully involved, according to Richland Fire Chief Melissa McCartney-Wells.

It took two hours to contain the fire that consumed the two-story, wood-frame barn belonging to Robert Starner, according to Wells, who said the barn, insured for $12,000, had not been used for several years and contained only old hay. Firefighters remained on scene until 7:30 p.m.

Because the hay was not new, making possible self-combustion, and the building was not equipped with utilities, an accidental cause has been ruled out, according to Holmes County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Nathan Fritz.

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The Sheriff's Office, along with the Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office, an investigator from which made the arson ruling, is investigating the cause of the fire, said Fritz, adding they are looking to the public for help.

Law enforcement officers gathered potential evidence, took photos and interviewed two witnesses, including two juveniles riding dirt bikes in the area, said Fritz.

They're looking to talk to another witness in particular -- an older man, described as being of "husky" build, with a long white beard and driving a silver pickup truck. The man was at the scene when the first firetruck arrived, and even helped to off-load the hose, but left before law enforcement arrived.

"Whoever this person is, we consider him a potential witness and would ask him to contact the Sheriff's Office," said Fritz. "We need a statement, and he was obviously there before fire or law enforcement.

"Everybody that sees something happening processes that information differently than a person standing beside them. The more information we can get from different perspectives, the easier it is for us to put together a full picture. That's how we conduct our information. That's why we want to talk to this man."

He said investigators also are eager to speak with "anybody else who may have been in the area and saw smoke, vehicles, or suspicious activity that, normally, would not pique their interest, but in light of the current situation might be of value to us."

Anyone with information about the fire should call the Holmes County Sheriff's Office at 330-674-1936.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at 330-674-5676 or by email at cpratt@the-daily-record.com.